Forty-nine families living under a bridge in Brgy. 738 in Malate, Manila are set to be relocated to permanent homes in Barangay Anyatam, San Ildefonso, Bulacan on Wednesday, Sept. 30, with assistance from the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
According to a report of RH Tina Nolasco on Damdaming Bayan, the families have packed their belongings in preparation for their transfer to their new homes under the government’s housing assistance program.
According to Marilyn Moral, director of the DSWD Pag-Abot Program National Management Office, more than 80 families were previously living under the bridge.
Moral said 35 families had already been transferred to temporary rental housing in San Rafael, San Miguel, Malolos and Baliwag, Bulacan, while their permanent homes in San Ildefonso are still under construction.
The temporary housing is being provided under the DSWD’s Transitory Shelter Assistance Program, through which the government will shoulder up to P5,000 in monthly rent for six months while the beneficiaries wait for their permanent homes to be completed.
Moral said the families had been informed that living under the bridge was not a suitable condition and that government assistance was available to help them secure safer housing.
“Pagpanayam sa kanila na ang pagtira sa mga ganitong lugar ay hindi talaga kaaya-aya at may tulong ang gobyerno para sa kanila and yung commitment ay ngayon magmamaterialize lahat,” Moral said.
Moral said the families were selected for relocation based on their qualifications and the requirements they submitted to the government.
She added that the houses in San Ildefonso already have temporary electricity and water connections. Upon turnover, the developer will also assist the beneficiaries in processing their applications for permanent utility connections.
The DSWD official said the relocation had been planned for several months, with government officials coordinating with the families and preparing them for the transfer.
Moral said the government also sought to ensure that the families were willing to relocate and would not return to their former living conditions under the bridge.
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